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What would a good entry level in Information Technology be?

I'm a senior in high school. I'm trying to decide on the best career path for me. #technology #career-path

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Jason’s Answer

The great thing about Information Technology is that there are many avenues to pursue. For someone just getting started, a HelpDesk role within any company would be ideal. HelpDesk staff help employees with issues, repair hardware, install software and just solve problems. Depending on the type of company, you may find yourself working as a network or systems administrator as well.
Thank you comment icon Thank you Mr. Flint for the inspiring information Brandon
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Chris’s Answer

Brandon,
Jason makes a great suggestion in Help Desk or entry level IT Support roles to get your feet wet in the IT Industry.

These roles gives you the ability to experience a broad array of technologies, situations and areas that may pique your interest going forward. It will give you a chance to develop your communications, interaction and problem-solving skills. These skills are often underrated, but so important to develop for your long term career success.
Many companies offer education in these areas to develop those skills. They are foundational skills whether you stay in IT or not.

Help Desk and IT Support roles exposes you to many different IT technologies, including hardware and software application technologies. Getting this exposure on the job in this setting will likely help direct you toward areas you have a lot of interest. It goes without saying that if you are interested in and enjoy what you are working on, it will snowball and you will want to learn more, maybe become a subject matter expert and will then provide more value to the companies that need your skill.

I personally started in software development support role, then got interested in software and hardware and transitioned into a Pre-Sales technical support role selling computer systems. That led me to technical architect and management positions before I moved into a Sales Leader role involved in developing and selling multi-million dollar solutions for some of the biggest companies in the world.

I've suggested some self-evaluation questions below. If you answer favorably to these questions, then the Help Desk and IT Support role may be one you want to pursue! Good luck!

Chris recommends the following next steps:

Do I have some base technology skills that interest me? If not, are there particular areas of IT that interest me? PC's, Desktop applications, Software applications?
Do you enjoy talking to people? Have you been in a services role in the past? Restaurant waiter/host? Worked at a front desk or retail store? Did you enjoy the interactions with others?
Do you view yourself as a problem solver and enjoy problem solving or does it stress you out?
Thank you comment icon Thank you Mr. Meurer, that was some great advice. I will do a self check with those questions to help me better understand where i need to be. Brandon
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Patricia’s Answer

Hi - A help desk position is a great recommendation. Another great option is a CO-OP position within a company. This type of position offers college students great opportunities to have exposure to multiple technologies and work within teams actively working or projects. Hope this helps!
Thank you comment icon Thank you Ms. Pizzillo, i think trying it this way would be a great opportunity for me. Brandon
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Alexis’s Answer

That's a fantastic inquiry. In my view, an entry-level sales position would be a good starting point. This type of role doesn't require an extensive amount of experience. Once you've established yourself within a company, it opens up opportunities to discover and venture into different sectors.
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Stephen’s Answer

Hi Brandon,

Great question and you've gotten some great advice already! You tagged technology, is this a field your passionate about? If yes, you've already made a good decision. I always tell individuals I mentor that you want to be passionate about your career, because you want to enjoy what you are doing.

I see you're a high school senior, are you thinking about college or looking to start your career right after HS? If you're looking to start after HS, I like the Help Desk recommendation. I know many people that started on the Help Desk and worked their way up in our company. The key to there success was continuous learning about the technology and products they were supporting and having the drive and passion to help customers.

If college is an option, even if part time, do you like programming? Majoring, minoring or taking classes that will teach you programming skills will be extremely valuable as you pursue a career in information technology. If not an option right away, look for an entry level job that offers technical training or provides tuition assistance so you can develop skills that you can apply to your job.

Best of luck!
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Miranda N.’s Answer

I just want to second Jason's answer--working in support or a HelpDesk role is a great way to learn the tech just as well as the software engineers! One of my colleagues started as a HelpDesk agent and several years later, she's now a product manager. IT always values folks who have worked directly with people who have helped users navigate it, as you know what they're more likely to do.
Thank you comment icon Thank you Ms. Benson for your input, it was very helpful Brandon
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M’s Answer

Interesting enough, this is an awesome question. Something a lot of people don't know is that working in IT can be done through the telecommunications companies, Such as AT&T and its competitors. Study whatever you can to better not only your IT skills but your communication and business skills.

If after graduating you still do not have a clue what you want to do....enter a fortune 50's graduate program.

Good luck
Thank you comment icon Thank you for your information and help. Brandon
Thank you comment icon Of course. What follow up questions do you have Brandon? M Schwartz
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